Twist-type spring clip

ABSTRACT

Spring clips have elongated generally U-shaped forms with arms terminating in loops. The arms are spaced to permit free insertion of sheets into the clips. Then the clips are turned 180*. The arms and loops are then urged toward each other by tension exerted at the bight of the clip. Prongs can be formed instead of loops to pierce the paper. The clips can be provided with handles.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Fred S. Ellis 2062 Bogart Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10462 [21] App1.No. 831,634 [22] Filed June 9, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [54] TWIST-TYPE SPRING CLIP 1 Claim, 29 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 24/261 PC, 24/261 F, 24/67.9 [51] Int. Cl A441) 21/00, B42f 1 02 [50] Field of Search 24/261.6, 67.9, 261 PC, 85 C, 261 F 156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 742,893 1l/1903 McGill 24/261 PC 1,317,416 9/1919 Baltzley 24/261 PC 1,557,130 10/1925 Witherbee 24/261 PC UX Primary Examiner- Bernard A. Gelak Attorney-Polachek, Saulsbury & Hough ABSTRACT: Spring clips have elongated generally U-shaped forms with arms terminating in loops. The arms are spaced to permit free insertion of sheets into the clips. Then the clips are turned 180. The arms and loops are then urged toward each other by tension exerted at the bight of the clip. Prongs can be formed instead of loops to pierce the paper. The clips can be provided with handles.

air-533L253 PATENTEB JAM 1 m2 SHEET 1 BF 2 F Q, A

TWIST-TYPE SPRING CLIP This invention relates to wire spring clips used for detachably engaging sheets of paper, cardboard, plastic, cloth and other sheet materials.

Certain types of spring pins and clips heretofore known require manual opening of closed clips against spring tension in order to insert paper sheets therebetween. This operation is objectionable because it is difficult to manipulate the clips while opening them. Also the clips must be held open while the paper sheets are inserted into them which is objectionable. Flat spiral wire clips which are widely used have coplanar untensioned wire loops. The clips engage paper sheets in tension when the paper sheets are inserted forcibly between the loops which separate laterally. An inherent difficulty in this type of paper clip is the lack of sufficient gripping pressure between the separated wire loops. The gripping pressure is primarily determined by the thickness of the paper sheets engaged. Thicker sheets will be held with more pressure than thinner sheets. Thus the paper sheets frequently slip out of the clips which should be holding them securely together.

The present invention is directed at an improved type of spring wire clip which has several advantages over prior clips. The clip basically has an elongated U-shape with arms terminating in loops or prongs. The loops or prongs are laterally spaced apart so that sheets can be inserted freely therebetween. Then the clip is turned or twisted so that the loops overlap and are forced toward each other by tension at the bight of the clip. Tension is primarily determined by the initial lateral spacing of the loops and is applied during the twisting of the clip. This type of clip exerts greater holding force than other wire spring clips of the same size. Less wire is required to manufacture the clip which is a very important consideration in large scale manufacture. Important savings are realized in shipping charges due to lighter weight of the clips. The clip has a wider range of uses and applications than conventional flat wire paper clips and pins. As examples it can be used as a clothes pin with positive locking features, as a ticket or tag holder, tie clip, etc.

The invention will be explained in further detail in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an open first clip embodying the in vention.

FIG. 2 is an edgewide view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the clip engaging two sheets.

FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 1, showing the same clip in closed position after being twisted on the sheets.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 3, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing how the clip grips the sheets engaged therein. I

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second clip embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an open third clip.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 7 in closed position.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the clip holding two sheets.

FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 1, showing a fourth clip.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 10A-10A of FIG. 10, showing the clip holding two sheets.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an open fifth clip shown engaging part of a tag. v

FIG. 12 is an edgewise taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 1 1 shown in closed position engaged on a piece of fabric.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an open sixth clip.

FIG. 15 is an edgewise view of the sixth clip taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the sixth clip shown in closed position engaged on a piece of fabric.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an open seventh clip.

FIG. 18 is an edgewise view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. l7.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the clip of FIGS. 17,18 shown in closed position.

FIG. 20 is an edgewise view of the closed clip taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 17.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are side views of eighth and ninth clips respectively.

FIG. 23 is a side view of an open tenth clip.

FIG. 24 is an edgewise view taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 23 in closed position shown engaging two sheets.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 26-26 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a side view of an eleventh clip provided with a handle part of which is broken away.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a twelfth clip.

Referring generally to the drawings, like parts of clips are identically numbered and have the same functions. The clips are all made of springy wire bent to desired form. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a clip C1 which is generally U-shaped as clearly shown in FIG. I. The clip has a rounded bight 12 at its upper end and two dependent rather straight arms 14,16. The clip is slightly twisted at the bight so that arms 14 and 16 do not lie in the same plane. Arm 14 is inclined forwardly and arm 16 is inclined rearwardly as clearly shown in FIG. 2. This arrangement defines a space S between the planes of the arms which permits a pair of sheets 20 to be inserted therebetween. The lower free ends of the arms are formed with turned up loops 22,24. The loops are twisted or inclined respectively forwardly and rearwardly. FIG. 3 shows that the planes of the loops will be inclined outwardly when sheets 20 are inserted between the arms. Points P and P of the respective loops are outer points spaced furthest from the respective arms 14,16. Actually the loops overlap as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 although spaced apart as shown in FIG. 2. Arm 12 is located to the left and arm 14 is located to the right at the front and rear surfaces 25,26 of the sheets. Arrow 27 shows how the clip must be turned on sheets 20 in a counterclockwise direction to be closed. The arms pivot on points P and P as fulcrums so that the positions of the arms becomes reversed. Arm 12 is located to the right of arm 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 when the clip is closed. The clip is twisted or turned through angle A while being closed. This angle will range from to depending on the thickness of juxtaposed sheets 20. When the clip is closed the loops will be urged in opposite directions toward each other to engage the sheets securely therebetween. The force with which the sheets are engaged depends basically on the maximum spacing S of the loops, since those points which face outwardly from the sheets 20 when the clip is open will face inwardly and press against surfaces 25,26. To open the clip it is turned clockwise as indicated by arrow 27' in FIG. 5. It is of course possible to pull the sheets 20 out of the clip by holding the clip at bight 12.

It will be noted that in order to turn the clip Cl, the bight 12 must be extended a sufiicient distance from the upper edge E of sheets to permit a good finger grip. After the clip is closed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the clip can be pushed downwardly until bight 12 is located at edge E, if so desired. To open the clip it will then be necessary to push the clip upwardly until bight 12 is sufiiciently spaced from edge E to provide a good finger grip. Clip C2 shown in FIG. 6 is arranged to avoid the necessity of shifting the clip longitudinally after closing and before opening. Clip C2 is similar to clip C1 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. A loop 30 is formed at the bight 12a of the clip. Indentations 32 at opposite sides substantially close the loop. Arms 14a and 16a extend downwardly from indentations 32 and terminate in loops 22,24. Closure of the clip is performed in the same manner as indicated in FIG. 3 and opening is performed as indicated in FIG. 5. Loop 30 is grasped to turn the clip.

Clip C3 is shown open in FIG. 7 and closed in FIGS. 8 and 9. This clip is similar to clip C1 except that arm 16b is somewhat shorter than arm 14 so that loop 24 is closer to bight 12 than loop 22. This arrangement has the desirable feature that the loops can press further into the material of the sheets 200 at points P and P' as shown in FIG. 9, than is possible with clips C1 and C2 where the loops abut each other on opposite sides of the sheets.

Clip C4 in FIGS. and 10A is similar to clip C2. It is provided with a loop 30 at the bight 12 for turning the clip. Clip C4 resembles clip C3 in that arm 160 is shorter than arm 14c. The arms are inclined toward each other so that loop 24 overlaps longer arm 14c. This clip has the desirable feature that substantially the entire length of arm 14c opposes the loop 24 at point P' in pressing against sheets 200. In addition loop 22 is unopposed at point P to press further into the material of the sheets.

Clip C5 shown open in FIGS. 11 and 12 and closed in FIG. 13 is provided with a sharp pointed prong 34 at the lower free end of arm 16d. This prong extends toward loop 22. When a piece of fabric 20d or other easily penetrable material is interposed in space S between the spaced arms 14, 16d, and the clip is turned in the direction of arrow 27d, prong 35 will penetrate the fabric. The prong will extend through loop 22 as shown in FIG. 13. This will lock the clip very effectively to the fabric. A tag 35 provided with a loop 36 can be engaged on the clip before the clip is closed. Clip C5 has the important advantage that it serves as both a clip and a pin. The clip will be unlocked simply by twisting it in the direction indicated by arrow 27d which is opposite to arrow 27d. The clip will pivot on point P and prong 34 in closing and will pivot and point P in opening.

Clip C6 shown open in FIGS. 14, 15 and closed in FIG. 16 has prongs 40 and 42 formed at the lower free ends of both arms 14c and l6e of the U-shaped clip. The prongs face in opposite directions generally parallel to the plane of fabric e inserted into space S. When the clip is turned in one direction approximately 90, the two prongs penetrate the fabric and lock the clip securely thereto. The clip can be opened by turning in the opposite direction to disengage from the fabric. Clip C6 serves as a very effective clasp. The fabric cannot be pulled out of engagement with the crossed prongs and can only be released by untwisting the clip.

Clip C7 open in FIGS. 17, 18 and closed in FIGS. 19,20 is arranged for holding rather thick sheets 20f. This clip has loops 22f and 24f which are much larger than the smaller loops 22,24 of clip C1. The large loops are overlapped but spaced apart. They are twisted to define pivot or fulcrum points P, P which contact opposite surfaces of sheets 20f. The arms 14f and 16f are disposed angularly to each other flaring outwardly and downwardly from the apex or bight 12 as clearly shown in FIG. 17. The arms assume approximately the same angular position in both open and closed positions. The loops oppose each other forcefully to grip the sheets. The bight 12 is highly tensioned and twisted to impart the gripping pressure. Closing and opening of the clip is done by twisting or turning the clip as indicated by arrows 27f and 27f.

Clip C8 shown in FIG. 21 is similar to clip C7 except that the arm 16g is somewhat longer than arm 14g and loop 24g is smaller than loop 22g. This cliplike clip C7 is intended to hold thicker sheets or a thicker group of sheets than thinner sheets 20. For this reason the arms extend angularly from bight 12. The loop 24g located below loop 14g is substantially unopposed and presses further into the sheets than is possible with the opposed loops 22f and 24f of clip C7. The clip is closed by twisting in direction 27g and is opened by twisting in the opposite direction. While closing and opening the clip pivots on points P, P of the loops.

Clip C9 shown in FIG. 22 has straight arms 14h and 16h which terminate in large loops 22h and 24h. This cliplike clips C7 and C8 will effectively hold thick sheets or a thicli group of sheets. When the clip is closed, point P of loop 22h will tend to enter loop 24h since this loop is bent in the same general way and direction as loop 22h. The clip is closed by twisting in direction 27h and is opened by twisting in the opposite direction. In closing and opening the clip pivots on points P, P

of the loops.

Clip C 0 shown open in FIGS. 23, 24 and closed in FIGS.

25, 26 has crossed arms 14], 16] extending downwardly from bight 12. Instead of the loops or prongs provided in clips Cl-C9, the arms are enclosed in flat, plastic tubes 22j, 24]. The tubes are pliable and frictionally grip sheets 20j therebetween when the clip is closed. The clip is closed by twisting in direction 27] and is opened by twisting in direction 27]. In closing and opening the clip pivots on pivot points P and P. The tubes will lie flat along opposite surfaces of the sheets effectively gripping them as clearly shown in FIG. 26.

Clip Cll shown in FIG. 27 is similar to clip Cl except that arms 14k, 16k are greatly elongated and enclosed in a cylindrical handle 50. The handle serves as a good handgrip in turning the clip in direction 27k to open it and in turning it oppositely to close it. The handle also serves as a means for carrying the sheets engaged by the clip. Bight 12 extending beyond the handle may serve as an eye for hanging the clip with or without engaged sheets upon a convenient peg or hook.

Clip C12 shown in FIG. 28 has a cylindrical handle 52 in which central portions 14m, 16m of two wires are enclosed. Loops 22 and 24 at ends of arms 14m, 16m overlap each other as in clips Cl and C11 are located at one end of the handle. Loops 22' and 24 are spaced from each other as in clip C3 are located at the other end of the handle. Arm 16m" is longer than arm 14m". Sheets will be engaged at loops 22,24 by turning the handle in direction 27m, and will be engaged at loops 22, 24' by turning the handle in direction 27m. The clip is opened by turning the handle in opposite directions.

All the clips described have the desirable characteristics of simplicity of construction, ease of operation, and secure and effective gripping of the sheets. To improve the frictional grip of the clips upon the sheets portions of the arms and loops which bear on the sheets can be roughened. Such roughening will be particularly effective when located at points P and P of the loops.

The clips can be manufactured at low cost by high-speed, mass production machinery. Due to their versatility, a smaller inventory of clips can be stocked by dealers than is required for conventional clips to meet varied consumer needs. Since for a given task the present clips can be smaller and lighter in weight than conventional clips used for the same task, large savings in storage and shipping costs can be realized by manufactures, distributors and dealers handling large quantities of the present clips.

What is claimed is:

1. A spring clip formed of springy wire bent to a generally U-shaped form with a rounded bight at one end, a single pair of straight substantially parallel arms extending from and integral with said bight and pivot means at free ends of the arms and offset therefrom, said arms and pivot means being spaced apart for free insertion of sheet material therebetween, said pivot means engaging opposite sides of said sheet material when the arms are turned with respect to each other to twist the bight so that the arms and pivot means are urged toward each other on opposite sides of the sheet material under pressure applied by spring tension in the twisted bight, the pivot means comprising a prong at one end of one arm and a loop at one end of the other arm, said loop having a terminal leg directed at an acute angle toward said other arm, when in a clamped position said prong extending at an obtuse angle from said one arm and extending downwardly, crossing said terminal leg into said loop, said arms being of substantially common length and said prong and loop being located such that the prong penetrates the sheet material and such that the prong enters the loop when the arms are turned and the bight is twisted. 

1. A spring clip formed of springy wire bent to a generally Ushaped form with a rounded bight at one end, a single pair of straight substantially parallel arms extending from and integral with said bight and pivot means at free ends of the arms and offset therefrom, said arms and pivot means being spaced apart for free insertion of sheet material therebetween, said pivot means engaging opposite sides of said sheet material when the arms are turned with respect to each other to twist the bight so that the arms and pivot means are urged toward each other on opposite sides of the sheet material under pressure applied by spring tension in the twisted bight, the pivot means comprising a prong at one end of one arm and a loop at one end of the other arm, said loop having a terminal leg directed at an acute angle toward said other arm, when in a clamped position said prong extending at an obtuse angle from said one arm and extending downwardly, crossing said terminal leg into said loop, said arms being of substantially common length and said prong and loop being located such that the prong penetrates the sheet material and such that the prong enters the loop when the arms are turned and the bight is twisted. 